Three days later, in a secluded forest outside Daliang City, a figure in black robes stepped forth slowly. He glanced up at the occasional travelers passing along the main road, determined the direction of the route, then lifted his feet and walked steadily southward along the road. The figure’s steps were neither swift nor brisk. However, those who observed carefully would notice that with each step, his body advanced by an odd distance—nearly one meter—creating the impression of subtle, small-scale teleportation, quite remarkable. The cloaked figure emerging from the forest must undoubtedly be Xiao Yan, who had taken refuge within the forest to refine and prepare medicinal pills. Over the past three days, with the assistance of the Elder, the various restorative and healing pills he had previously depleted have once again replenished his storage. With this ample supply of pills now secured, Xiao Yan feels considerably more at ease. After all, on the Qi Continent, who among those traveling abroad does not treat medicinal supplies as essential necessities? These are indeed life-saving items. At the level of Du Ling... Since the Yunlan Sect's warrant has reached Dali City, it's likely that the senior monk from Yunlan Sect has also received it." Xiao Yan stepped steadily, his body subtly flickering along the road, while his mind continuously calculated the best way to smoothly exit the Gamma Empire. "Right now, I'm nearly stranded within the Gamma Empire. Cloud Shan must have guessed I'd flee. Therefore, he would naturally place great emphasis on this final checkpoint at the border—perhaps the Meng Li has already received special instructions from Cloud Shan. It seems, then, that leaving from here without much difficulty will be quite challenging." With his face completely hidden in shadow, Xiao Yan furrowed his brows, thinking over the complications ahead. "The border fortress had walls nearly as massive as small mountains, and within it surely stood countless archers and crossbowmen skilled in mounted archery, along with unique energy shields capable of sensing and responding to threats. It must also possess defenses capable of repelling aerial assaults—otherwise, in times of war, wouldn't foreign powers simply come swooping in at will? Ah... It seems unlikely that we'll be able to pass this final checkpoint as smoothly as we did through the Great Ridge City. "Frowning slightly and shaking his head, Xiao Yan murmured softly. … The distance between Daling City and the border of the Jima Empire, though not short, was only relatively so. For ordinary people walking hundreds of miles, it would take at least ten to fifteen days to reach the destination. Even with Xiao Yan's speed—further enhanced by several stretches of silent flight using the Purple Cloud Wings— it still took three days to pass through the two fortresses along the essential route. As Xiao Yan had anticipated, the senior commanders in the first two fortresses, lacking representatives from Yunlan Sect, did not treat the unofficial arrest warrant—unrecognized by the imperial court—as widely disseminated as it had been in Daling City. The troops stationed there also paid little attention to the warrant, allowing Xiao Yan to pass through both fortresses smoothly and without incident. Yet, although they had smoothly passed through the first two fortresses, Xiao Yan's heart remained far from at ease. He knew well that the most daunting challenge lay ahead—the massive fortress known as "Zhengui Pass." As a key imperial military stronghold designed to deter foreign powers, its defenses were so thorough that the term "heavenly latticework and earthly net" seemed entirely fitting. The troops stationed here had all undergone genuine trials of blood and fire, far surpassing the city garrison forces within the empire—those whose bodies had been worn thin by the comforts of a life of luxury. This fortress would be the final barrier preventing Xiao Yan from leaving the Jima Empire. Only by breaking through it could Xiao Yan truly become a dragon soaring across the vast ocean and an eagle flying through the nine heavens, free from any constraints. Thus, this journey through the pass was of paramount importance. … On the second day after passing through the second fortress, the massive stronghold—rising like a primordial beast at the edge of the empire—finally came into view before Xiao Yan’s eyes. Standing on a hillside, Xiao Yan gazed at the colossal city walls that stretched almost to the horizon, and listened to the steady, rhythmic drills echoing from the ramparts. He exhaled softly, impressed by the unified momentum of the tens of thousands of soldiers—the fierce, overwhelming aura radiating from them seemed no less formidable than even the combined array techniques of Yunlan Sect. Yet, freedom, like the sea beyond the walls, lay on the other side. Still, Xiao Yan found himself overwhelmed. This immense fortress stood like a formidable tiger blocking his path, completely severing his final route. "Forcing a leap—probably not very reliable. It seems we'll have to see if we can even make it in...." Glancing down at the road, the flowing ranks of vehicles and pedestrians hesitated slightly, then slowly retreated, eventually vanishing into the jungle. Although this compensation is quite generous, the risks are extremely high, for in the battlefield churned like a meat grinder, a squad of several hundred could easily be wiped out entirely with just a single misstep. Beyond the fortress, traveling hundreds of miles eastward and passing through several smaller nations and tribal communities, one reaches the renowned special region known as the "Black Horn Domain." Here, due to its unique geography, it has become one of the most chaotic areas on the entire continent. Countless fleeing warriors from various nations find refuge here, establishing the most primitive and rugged rules. Moreover, this region hosts a diverse array of races beyond humanity, making it a miniature representation of the continent itself. In the "Black Horn Domain," there are no formal laws—only one principle: the law of the jungle. In other words, the rule of the strongest prevailing—the weak are entirely at the mercy of the strong. There is no rights for the weak. This is an exceptionally pure region. As long as you wish, even if you assault a woman right in the street, no one will intervene—provided, of course, that you choose your victim wisely. Otherwise, your fate might prove quite grim. In the "Black Horn Domain," women sometimes prove more formidable than men, and this is simply because they have survived here. Moreover, the "Black Horn Domain" might also be described as a crossroads of intelligence for the continent. Countless pieces of information flow out daily from here, while countless others enter from beyond. In short, if you wish to gain fame and recognition across the continent, the "Black Horn Domain" offers you the fastest route—provided, of course, that you possess sufficient strength and resources. Otherwise, you may achieve neither fame nor survival. Yet as a renowned region of chaos across the continent, the Black Corner Domain does not quite live up to its name. Every day, powerful individuals perish, while every day, new strong ones arrive from beyond. This land is brimming with death, yet equally filled with challenges and allure. Here, advanced cultivation techniques, combat skills, divine weapons and armor, medicinal cauldrons, herbs, and premium pills—often difficult to find outside—appear in dazzling abundance. Indeed, it is said that the auction halls of the Black Corner Domain have twice featured Earth-tier cultivation techniques. Of course, to obtain these treasures, one must pay a price—this price may be money, or it may be something else entirely. In short, in the Black Corner Domain, nothing ever comes as a gift from the heavens. A love for chaos and a preference for darkness seem to be inherent traits of humanity. Thus, despite knowing that the region is enveloped in perilous energies, countless individuals continue to pour in, driven either by the hope of achieving rapid fame across the continent, or by the pursuit of superior cultivation techniques, combat skills, elixirs, or unparalleled wealth. Regardless of their motivations, these persistent influxes of people continually infuse the "Black Corner Domain" with vibrant energy and vitality. By the way, I nearly forgot—perhaps due to the principle of opposites attracting—the very heart of the "Black Corner Domain" is... the renowned Cahan Academy, a name that resonates throughout the cultivation continent! Yet, within a certain radius outside the Canna College, the region remains peaceful. Anyone who brings the atmosphere of "Kurokoshi Domain" here will become a dry corpse hanging on a tree at the boundary line between Canna College and "Kurokoshi Domain" by the next day—there has seemingly been no exception throughout the years.